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Education an Important Component
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Any of VIDAS’ Spanish speaking volunteers will tell you that the opportunity for education is ever present at VIDAS’ clinics. The locals, age 2- 82, are very interested in what they are doing. They often spend hours at the clinic asking questions. They are genuinely concerned for their animals.
It has always been important to the VIDAS board that education is a part of their mission. In the past it has proved very difficult to do this adequately, as the clinics are very busy with upwards of 70 animals a day presenting for surgery and care. The basics of what they are doing, getting consent and explaining the procedure in more ways than one, takes up most of the Spanish speakers’ time. In an effort to explain things while people wait their turn, VIDAS uses educational materials created by VIDAS members, or borrowed from the Humane Society International and Denver Dumb Friend’s League. VIDAS understands that written educational materials only go so far, in fact not nearly far enough. True education comes not from printed material, but from interaction. It is only in this manner that questions can be asked and answered.
This year, VIDAS was finally able to truly begin to fulfill their objective of education. The October clinics in Chemuyil were held at the local elementary school. Hoardes of school children milled about, incredibly fascinated by the clinic. Though surgery was kept behind closed doors, they were able to peer at animals in recovery. Dr. BC Robinson seized the opportunity and allowed the children to listen to their hearts with his stethoscope.
VIDAS president, Cristina Gutierrez spoke with school officials. They were very open to her going into each of the 6 classrooms and explaining about the clinics. Cristina is a trained teacher, having taught high school in New York. Though no lesson plan was prepared, she made do.
“The experience was so rewarding for me. It gave me the opportunity to use my skills and training in education and veterinary medicine to work towards VIDAS goal of ending pet overpopulation where it really counts… with the next generation.”
Gutierrez spoke to the different classrooms about various topics related to pet over population including zoonotic disease, importance of vaccination and proper animal care, among others. The lessons were interactive:
“I never liked the idea of the teacher doing all the talking, that is boring for everyone… the kids had to think about the issues and tell me what would happen to all the offspring of the unsterilized cats and dogs. They said they would give them away as gifts - but the next litter they would run out of friends to give them to, so what then?… then it was a pet store, … but who would want to buy pets when so many give them away as gifts?? This went on and on, until an astute student would say they would die in the street or at the pound. It was dramatic and sad when they realized that something needs to happen with these animals.”
Gutierrez also took the opportunity to explain what VIDAS actually does for these animals. “I have done spay/neuter clinics in Mexico for the past 6 years. I have learned the importance of truly explaining what you are doing at these clinics. I was shocked to hear a boy in Chemuyil, answer correctly when I asked the class what “sterilization” is. He became my star student.”
The school teachers were also very interested in what Gutierrez spoke of. After the lessons they asked their own questions about the zoonotic diseases that Gutierrez spoke of. Encouraged by the impact of the lessons, they told VIDAS that they were welcome any time to speak to the students. They have even asked for the materials so that they can teach the children when VIDAS is not around.
VIDAS plans to continue working with local educators. It is our goal to send someone in to local schools during each clinic. The next step will be to contact the teachers college in Bacalar, to speak to the new generation of Mexico’s teachers.
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